BPD seeks suspect who broke into machine

BLANCHESTER — Police are seeking a man identified as the suspect who broke into a vending machine last spring.

On the morning of Wednesday, April 11, police were called to the Friendship Acres apartment complex on a report from the manager that a vending machine had been broken into in the common area of the complex, according to BPD Chief Scott Reinbolt.

He said BPD Cpl. James Beckelhymer responded and processed the machine for fingerprints. Several fingerprints were lifted from the interior of the machine and sent to the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory for examination.

“In early September we received a report from the Latent Prints section of the laboratory indicating they had identified the fingerprints,” said Reinbolt. “Using the nationwide computer database of fingerprint cards, the fingerprints were identified as being left there by James Hardy, 27, of Blanchester.

“Late last week a charge of tampering with coin machines was filed against Hardy, whose whereabouts are currently unknown,” he said.

Hardy has a criminal record dating back to 2011, including a conviction for breaking and entering, and drug offenses, Reinbolt said.

He said a warrant has been obtained for Hardy’s arrest, and he will answer the charge, which is a misdemeanor, in the Clinton County Municipal Court.

“I appreciate Cpl. Beckelhymer’s work on this case and appreciate the tenacity of the Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab in examining the evidence for us,” said Reinbolt.